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8
FORCE OF GRAVITY & “FOLLOW THROUGH” – Gravity is always present and
you must be prepared for it when you are operating a chain saw. During the
cutting operation, the weight of the chain saw is supported by the material being
cut. When the saw completes the cut, the saw is no longer supported, and the
operator must control both the weight and the downward momentum of the saw.
Never reach too far out with the saw. If you reach too far out with the saw, you
may be unable to control it. Maintain a proper grip, a balanced stance, and good
footing. Never cut when you are off balance – the sudden burden of supporting
the weight of the saw could cause you to fall or lose control of the saw. Make no
cuts above chest height where control may be more difficult.
IMPORTANT: When you’re about to complete a cut on an elevated tree branch or
limb, be ready to release the throttle and support the chain saw so that the guide
bar and moving chain will not “follow through” and cut into your legs, feet, or body
after the guide bar breaks into the clear.
SKATING - This condition occurs when the saw chain does not dig in properly
when starting a cut, and does not start a defined groove as it attempts to
penetrate the wood. The guide bar then begins “hopping” or skidding side-to-side
along the surface. When this occurs, you do not have full control of the chain
saw, and the bar nose could strike something and cause a kickback. If you are
holding the chain saw with one hand and a branch with the other, the chain saw
could skate laterally into your hand holding the branch. To prevent or reduce
skating, always hold the chain saw with two hands, and make sure the saw chain
has established a groove for cutting. For gasoline-powered units, throttling down
the chain speed may help the chain get grooved, but once the chain is grooved,
throttle up the chain speed to complete the cut.
DO NOT OVER -REACH TO
MAKE A CUT
BEWARE OF SKATING
FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL